On 8 October 2024, the Federation Council Speaker and Chair of the Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States Council, Valentina Matvienko spoke at an expanded meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) at the Kremlin.
Federation Council Speaker and Chair of the Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Assembly of the Member Nations of the Commonwealth of Independent States Council, Valentina Matvienko spoke at an expanded meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) at the Kremlin. In her speech, she highlighted the role of the CIS IPA in fostering integrative cooperation.
She said that for over three decades now, the CIS IPA has served as an effective platform for a legislative dialogue, sharing experiences and best practices, as well as promoting friendship and mutual understanding. “There is no doubt that in the new reality, the CIS IPA’s experience and initiatives will promote trust between the peoples of our countries” she said.
Among the key areas of CIS IPA’s activities, Valentina Matvienko highlighted the harmonisation and alignment of national legislations and the creation of a common legal framework. She noted that the Assembly has adopted nearly 700 legislative acts and recommendations, a significant portion of which were developed in accordance with country-to-country programmes and CIS documents adopted by the top statutory bodies of the Commonwealth.
Additionally, the CIS IPA has put together 28 draft international documents, many of which have formed the basis of conventions, agreements, and strategies approved at the level of the CIS Council of Heads of State or the Council of Heads of Government, she said.
She stressed that model legislation is advisory in nature and in no way limits the CIS countries’ sovereignty, but provides an opportunity to build truly harmonious development within the Commonwealth. “We see that most of the model acts developed by the Assembly are used in forming and fine-tuning national legislations. These model laws are used in legal practice and often serve as a guide to resolve complex legal cases.”
Valentina Matvienko also drew attention to the CIS IPA’s mission of election observation. “The participation of independent observers in electoral processes ensures the legitimacy of the formation of power and creates a strong barrier against the interference of unfriendly countries in electoral procedures, eliminating any possible biased speculations on this topic,” she said.
In their 30 years of monitoring work, CIS IPA observers have participated in overseeing the preparations for and conduct of over 100 presidential and parliamentary election campaigns.
According to the Federation Council Speaker, the organisation of major international events under the CIS IPA’s auspices has been an effective way to promote integrative processes. These events include the Nevsky International Ecological Congress, the Mountain Forum, anti-terrorism conferences, and the Eurasian Women’s Forum.
Valentina Matvienko emphasised the involvement of young people in the Commonwealth’s integration processes. The international cultural and educational forum, Children of the Commonwealth, is expanding, and the CIS Youth Inter-Parliamentary Assembly has been operating within the CIS IPA for over 10 years now.
According to Valentina Matvienko, the Memory Train project is the most vivid symbol of unity and friendship. She noted that over the past three years, the number of countries participating in the project has quadrupled. “This year, the train brought together high school students from eight CIS countries, providing them with a unique opportunity to learn about our shared history and the sacred feats of their forefathers in the form of a historical journey.”
Valentina Matvienko called on the CIS heads of state to support the project. “Next year is declared the Year of the 80th Anniversary of Victory — Year of Peace and Unity in Combatting Nazism. We would like to invite participants from all the former Soviet republics, everyone whom our fathers and grandfathers fought together to defeat Nazism. I hope we can make this happen.”
In her remarks, Valentina Matvienko also touched on humanitarian cooperation. She reminded the audience that the CIS IPA headquarters had become a venue for cultural days and various conferences dedicated to prominent historical figures from the CIS countries. “An international conference, The Russian Language: The Foundation of Integrative Dialogue in the Commonwealth of Independent States, organised by the CIS IPA became a significant event in 2023 which was the Year of the Russian Language as the Language of Interethnic Communication in the CIS. This conference is planned to be held regularly.”
Speaking about the Assembly’s international activities, Valentina Matvienko highlighted its work in the Inter-Parliamentary Union, as well as with parliamentary assemblies in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This year, a Regulation on Observer Status at the CIS IPA was adopted.
Valentina Matvienko believes that the successful experience and achievements of the CIS IPA can be widely used in the work of other integrative parliamentary associations. “For example, within the parliamentary dimension of BRICS which received a powerful boost at the 10th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in St Petersburg, which we encouraged all the CIS IPA parliaments to attend.”